At press time it had not been decided if the gathering will be a Mass or a Prayer Service but, in either case, Catholics and all people of goodwill are invited to join Bishop Gerald Barnes in praying for healing in the community and for those who lost their lives or were injured in the attack.
“It gives the whole Catholic community a chance to come together and pray for the souls of those who died, for their families, and for those who were injured,” said Deacon Michael Jelley, Vice Chancellor of the Diocese and a chief organizer of the gathering. “To let all those who have been directly affected know that the Church hasn’t forgotten them.”
The Dec. 2 attack, at the time the worst act of domestic terrorism since September 11, 2001, shook the foundations of the already embattled community of San Bernardino. The Diocese, in concert with other faith communities in the region, sought to bring consolation and healing in the aftermath. Bishop Barnes was among those who spoke to 5,000 people who came to San Manuel Baseball Stadium to pray on Dec. 3.
“We will take this challenge to build something constructive that puts an end to violence and hatred…” Bishop told the crowd that evening. “We believe that love is greater than hate; courage greater than fear, unity greater than separation.”
Four days later, the Diocese hosted an Interfaith Prayer Service at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral that would ultimately lead to the formation of a new regional interfaith group, the Inland Valley Interfaith Alliance.
As many as half of the victims in the Dec. 2 attack had direct ties to the Catholic faith. Damian Meins, Yvette Velasco, Harry Bowman, Bennetta Betbadal, Larry Kaufman, Juan Espinosa and Tin Nguyen all practiced the faith or were raised in it. Photos of all 14 victims will be placed at the altar. At the tolling of a bell during the gathering, a person will come forth and place a rose under each victim’s photo, Dcn. Jelley said.